Claiming meals on Business trip

ChopsMcgee_2

Im not sure if this is in the correct section.

My partner recently travelled to Madrid for a training course with work. They tried to claim for a sandwich / drink from the airport and it was knocked back by their boss, stating "you would have eaten anyway whether working or not?".

Now I am not 100% but surely on business trips you are entitled to claim what is "reasonable"?

I travel regularly and make claims weekly without issue, but my company appears more professional in this way. Even in former jobs I was given petty cash to use for meals etc but they seem to have been given nothing?

anyway, I am just looking for advice here really.

Thanks

Rosemary7391

My workplace has a policy on this - has your partner found/read theirs or doesn't it exist? It sets out limits on what can be claimed and when you can claim it. If such a policy exists that'll be a good starting point.

ChopsMcgee_2

Im guessing this can be requested through the HR department?

She is scared of upsetting her boss and looking like a trouble maker.

nomoneytoday

Do they not get a daily allowance instead?

getmore4less

ChopsMcgee wrote: »

Im guessing this can be requested through the HR department?

She is scared of upsetting her boss and looking like a trouble maker.

IT won't get any better if she does not stand up for reasonable expenses. The BOss will just start refusing other things.

All meals should be covered once away, it costs more to eat away than it does at home what about the other meals in a day is he refusing them as well.

Next time there is a training need tell them to fly the trainer to the local office so you can eat at home.

Only fly in working hours so you can eat before you leave.

Paully232000

I would agree that she should look at her work T&Cs on the matter. Just like some others, we have, and previous jobs have, an allowance per day for meals that is paid up to, with receipts.

ChopsMcgee_2

I would guess my main question is - is this a "right" or "nice to have?"

I have tried to look on HMRC but its a mine field. I will get her to look at T&C / employee hand book.

DKLS

ChopsMcgee wrote: »

I would guess my main question is - is this a "right" or "nice to have?"

I have tried to look on HMRC but its a mine field. I will get her to look at T&C / employee hand book.

Its a right, I expect breakfast, travelling snacks and drinks, lunch and dinner when travelling and a hotel that is the equivalent of my home if not better.

Luckily I work for companies with a decent T&E policy. Only headache is finding restaurants who will adjust the bill so some of the booze is switched for starters.

System

DKLS wrote: »

Its a right, I expect breakfast, travelling snacks and drinks, lunch and dinner when travelling and a hotel that is the equivalent of my home if not better.

Luckily I work for companies with a decent T&E policy. Only headache is finding restaurants who will adjust the bill so some of the booze is switched for starters.

Care to elaborate on what makes it a right?

[Deleted User]

You only have 'a right to' or 'entitlement' to whatever is documented in your company expense policy.

I know I can't claim breakfasts if I'm on a trip where I leave the house after 6.30pm. I know I can't claim lunch if I'm not on an overnight trip.

My previous firm was more agreeable and gave you breakfast/lunch if you were anywhere other than the office. That's just policy difference.

So - look in the policy doc. If there isn't one, then get HR to write one.

DKLS - don't you just submit your card receipt? My boss doesn't need to know what I ate/drank as long as I'm within the expense limit for dinner

KiKi

Need to look at the policy, but I would expect to claim all meals whilst working away or on a business trip. Yes, I'd have to eat anyway, but I wouldn't have to buy a meal at a restaurant - I'd cook a meal for £2.00.